Published: Friday, December 6, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7:37 p.m.

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It started the night before when another round of vaguely sourced, breathless “Nick Saban to Texas” rumors, as immune to extermination as Norway rats, popped up.

They had no more substance than the ones from two weeks ago, or two weeks before that, and will continue until Texas finally resolves its coaching situation — and, if Mack Brown survives, they will go on right through 2014.

Then came the peculiar Florida State press conferences, odd not because of the outcome — Jameis Winston deserves the protection of the law, including presumption of innocence, as much as any other American citizen — but because of the flippant, football-first attitude of the authorities. Maybe the same mood would prevail in the same situation in Tuscaloosa, but it would deserve criticism here, too, if it did.

In neither of those situations did journalism enjoy a shining hour, even if it is just “football.” It was enough to make a reporter reflective.

So I would like to thank Jermarcus Brown.

He didn't comment on any of that. As far as I know, Brown doesn't have a Twitter account, or offer “hot takes,” or have an image consultant.

He just scores touchdowns.

Brown is a running back for the Pickens County Tornadoes, one of the teams in our coverage area. On Thursday afternoon, he ran for more than 300 yards in the AHSAA Super 6 Class 1A championship game.

Small schools, perhaps, but a huge performance. He has been working such magic all season, although not many people who don't live along Highway 82 realize it. He scored 50 touchdowns this season, and kicked his team's extra points, so his point total was probably around 375 or so.

“He's something,” said his coach, Patrick Plott. “When we watch film as a staff, we turn off the lights and say 'Let's see what Jermarcus did now.'”

In fact, about the only person who wasn't wide-eyed about the performance was Jermarcus Brown.

Brown was asked if he knew he had gained more than 300 yards.

“No, sir,” he replied.

Did he know he had broken the Super 6 rushing record?

“No, sir.”

What did he think he would remember about the day.

“Championship,” he said. “My team won a championship. Nothing is any bigger than that.”

Brown hasn't received a lot of recruiting attention. At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, he probably is too small to attract SEC attention. He is looking at West Alabama and South Alabama, possibly at junior colleges, but his announcement won't be on ESPNU.

But on Thursday, that wasn't important. It was a pleasure to watch him run and witness his happiness at winning, shared with his teammates, all of whom come from a small town in West Alabama.

“It is not where you start but how high you aim that matters.” Those are the words of Nelson Mandela, a true hero, a giant of his time, who passed away Thursday.

It was one of those days — filled with frustration and sadness, but also, if you looked for it, with simple joy, like watching Jermarcus Brown run, and watching him celebrate, and realizing that you don't have to be cynical about everything after all.

<p>Thursday started as one of those days. Rapidly, it turned into one of those days. </p><p>It started the night before when another round of vaguely sourced, breathless “Nick Saban to Texas” rumors, as immune to extermination as Norway rats, popped up. </p><p>They had no more substance than the ones from two weeks ago, or two weeks before that, and will continue until Texas finally resolves its coaching situation — and, if Mack Brown survives, they will go on right through 2014. </p><p>Then came the peculiar Florida State press conferences, odd not because of the outcome — Jameis Winston deserves the protection of the law, including presumption of innocence, as much as any other American citizen — but because of the flippant, football-first attitude of the authorities. Maybe the same mood would prevail in the same situation in Tuscaloosa, but it would deserve criticism here, too, if it did.</p><p>In neither of those situations did journalism enjoy a shining hour, even if it is just “football.” It was enough to make a reporter reflective. </p><p>So I would like to thank Jermarcus Brown. </p><p>He didn't comment on any of that. As far as I know, Brown doesn't have a Twitter account, or offer “hot takes,” or have an image consultant. </p><p>He just scores touchdowns. </p><p>Brown is a running back for the Pickens County Tornadoes, one of the teams in our coverage area. On Thursday afternoon, he ran for more than 300 yards in the AHSAA Super 6 Class 1A championship game. </p><p>Small schools, perhaps, but a huge performance. He has been working such magic all season, although not many people who don't live along Highway 82 realize it. He scored 50 touchdowns this season, and kicked his team's extra points, so his point total was probably around 375 or so.</p><p>“He's something,” said his coach, Patrick Plott. “When we watch film as a staff, we turn off the lights and say 'Let's see what Jermarcus did now.'”</p><p>In fact, about the only person who wasn't wide-eyed about the performance was Jermarcus Brown.</p><p>Brown was asked if he knew he had gained more than 300 yards.</p><p>“No, sir,” he replied.</p><p>Did he know he had broken the Super 6 rushing record? </p><p>“No, sir.”</p><p>What did he think he would remember about the day.</p><p>“Championship,” he said. “My team won a championship. Nothing is any bigger than that.”</p><p>Brown hasn't received a lot of recruiting attention. At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, he probably is too small to attract SEC attention. He is looking at West Alabama and South Alabama, possibly at junior colleges, but his announcement won't be on ESPNU. </p><p>But on Thursday, that wasn't important. It was a pleasure to watch him run and witness his happiness at winning, shared with his teammates, all of whom come from a small town in West Alabama.</p><p>“It is not where you start but how high you aim that matters.” Those are the words of Nelson Mandela, a true hero, a giant of his time, who passed away Thursday. </p><p>It was one of those days — filled with frustration and sadness, but also, if you looked for it, with simple joy, like watching Jermarcus Brown run, and watching him celebrate, and realizing that you don't have to be cynical about everything after all.</p><p> </p><p><i>Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tidesports.com or 205-722-0225.</i></p>